Cyprus Cracks Down on Illegal Property Sales in the North
Cyprus is intensifying legal actions against realtors and developers who illegally sell Greek Cypriot properties in the breakaway north, with four current cases highlighting the issue.
Property RightsCyprusIllegal Property SalesPeace TalksReal EstateReal EstateMay 16, 2025
The properties in question are located in areas along Cyprus’ northern and eastern coastlines near the towns of Kyrenia and Famagusta, in villages like Akanthou and Ayios Amvrosios (Tatlisu and Esentepe in Turkish, respectively). These areas are popular with foreign buyers due to their idyllic surroundings.
Property rights are a deeply contentious issue in Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded following an Athens junta-backed coup aiming to unite the island with Greece. Approximately 160,000 Greek Cypriots fled the north, where Turkish Cypriots declared independence, a status recognized only by Turkey. Conversely, around 45,000 Turkish Cypriots moved from the south, where the internationally recognized government is seated, to the north.
Property disputes have been a core issue in decades of failed United Nations-mediated peace talks. The EU’s top court and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) have affirmed the Greek Cypriots’ rights to property ownership in the north. However, the ECHR has also supported the establishment of a Turkish Cypriot property commission, where Greek Cypriots can apply for compensation or to reclaim their property.
A recent boom in the construction of luxury villas and apartments in the north has prompted Cypriot legal authorities to take a more assertive stance against realtors and developers. According to a lawyer familiar with the pending cases, the scale of illegal property development has grown significantly. “It’s not just a few homes being built on Greek Cypriot property; we’re now seeing entire complexes being constructed,” the lawyer told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Last week, a Cypriot court sentenced two Hungarian women to 30 months and 15 months in jail, respectively, for advertising the sale of Greek Cypriot property in the north online. The court stated, “The exploitation of property that belongs to displaced Cypriots for financial gain is, from any perspective, unacceptable and condemnable.” The court also warned that such exploitation could complicate future peace talks by complicating the property issue.
Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized that the prosecutions send a clear message. “The right to property is an individual matter, and the owner of the property is the one who should decide what to do with it, nothing more,” he said. However, the court cases have sparked a backlash from Turkish Cypriot leaders, who view the prosecutions as a hostile attempt to undermine their economic development.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar called the prosecutions a “terrorist act” against Turkish Cypriots, aiming to “weaken them legally and politically” and harm their economic prospects. He warned that the court actions “won't go unanswered.”
The ongoing legal battles highlight the complex and sensitive nature of property rights in the divided island, with both sides vying to protect their interests and the potential for these disputes to impact future peace negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue surrounding property rights in Cyprus?
The main issue is the illegal sale and possession of Greek Cypriot properties in the breakaway north of Cyprus, which has been a contentious point in peace talks and legal proceedings.
Who is being prosecuted in the current cases?
Four individuals, including a Ukrainian man, a German national, and two Israelis, are being prosecuted for charges such as illegally advertising the sale of Greek Cypriot property and illegal possession.
What are the potential consequences of these legal actions?
The legal actions could complicate future peace talks and have a chilling effect on foreign buyers, making them more reluctant to get involved in the property market in the north.
How has the Turkish Cypriot leadership responded to these prosecutions?
Turkish Cypriot leaders view the prosecutions as a hostile act aimed at undermining their economic development and have warned of a response.
What is the stance of the Greek Cypriot government?
The Greek Cypriot government, led by President Nikos Christodoulides, emphasizes that the prosecutions are a message to those involved in the illegal sale of Greek Cypriot properties, affirming the right to property as an individual matter.
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